getithere | rps w/hal

I don't think I've read anything like that in RPS, so I can't help with that (sorry!), but I have heard it talked about quite a bit in the fandom. A lot of people either 1) say Hal is an asshole and that's that or 2) defend him on some level....honestly, I really think it depends on if you liked the Michael character or not in most cases. Personally, I loved the Brian/Michael friendship and I loved the Michael character up until season 4ish. However, I'm not anti-Mikey and I don't read/write anti-Mikey fics, because I find them extremely out of character. BUT, considering we didn't have 6 years to get to know Hal, I wouldn't be adverse to reading something like that in an RPS.

My thought is that it's completely obvious he's talking about Gale and Randy in this interview to anyone that has a brain stem, and I think it's really unprofessional to talk about former co-stars like that, for any actor. That information is something the public really doesn't need to know about; it's private and between those actors and the directors/producers. So, IMHO, he sounds like a complete jackass in this interview.

However, no one really knows exactly what happened on set. Yes, he's still a jackass for this interview, but Gale and Randy could quite possibly have caused havoc and let their egos get the best of them. I can't help but to be biased (at least towards Gale), because I would've thrown a fit if the directors did that to my character too. There towards the end I thought I was reading fan fiction...and not the kind of fan fiction I'm interested in reading. So him saying "My character wouldn't do that" isn't too far off base, but the producers are the producers and it's their show, so it's just as well.

But I do have a question to anyone who knows or has heard anything. I always heard the majority of the problems came from Randy. I heard both Gale and Randy were ready to move on (as were a few of the other actors), but I was always told Randy was a bit of a pain in the ass and had someone of a hatred toward his character and caused some issues on set. The goodbye special also insinuated that Randy complained quite a bit. I could be wrong though, and that's why I'm asking. I've seen a few interviews in which Randy sounds like a bit of a pain in the ass and a little ungrateful, but I've never heard Gale say anything negative about the show. Either Gale is more professional about his personal feelings, or it was Randy that was a bigger problem. Or, of course, I'm not reading all the interviews. :)

Sorry this was so long, just wanted to put my 2 cents in there on the subject. Feel free to disregard this comment if you so wish. :D

Very interesting insight.

I've not read many interviews from anyone during or after the show. I know that the one interview thing with Randy prior to S5 was supposed to be a lark, but people took it seriously. And I'd heard that Hal was a dick a lot, and that Gale was a pothead (certainly true, and supposedly Hal was the one that said this).

Other than that, I'd be interested to see what Hal had to say.

I think its odd that Hal has made up with Randy, but his Gale hate still is at an all time high. Its brought up often on his Twitter, and he always cites Gale & Randy bashing the show as his reason, which is what puzzles me...Randy was the only one that dissed his character & the show to the media, I never heard a peep from Gale....so why is Randy now forgiven, and a 'genuinely nice, talented & good person'?

I think, or hope that most people can seperate Mikey from Hal. I really can not stand Hal's personalty, his 9-11 conspiracy theories or any of his crap, but that doesnt negate or affect his character....at least to me.

Considering what a camera/attention hog Hal is, its odd to me that he isnt seen with his QAF alum that often, damn near ever. Yet the reclusive Gale is, so if he caused drama or ill will on the set, it sure wasnt held against him.

I liked Scott's recent Twitter reply on the matter.... 'he is like Switzerland in regards to any Hal/Gale issues'. Smart man, loyal friend.

(deleted comment)

Fans are tactless & Scott is kind enough to reply to each.

One asked him last week if he was going to NYC to referee b/c Hal & Gale will both be in town at the same time.

(deleted comment)

Scott is awesome all around. I am facebook friends with him and he is a truly nice man, friendly and fun.

Thats what I thought. It made the riff real.

Its not like a mean question to ask, just not the kind you should in public... its like asking a kid of divorced parents to play ref or comment, at a public gathering.

Here it is, so people can see the exchange, not just my Cliff's notes:

------------------
@scolo Looks like #GaleHarold and #HalSparks are going to be in NYC the same time. Are U going to ref? ;) Now, we want U in a newnudeplay!
6:13 PM Mar 14th via Echofon in reply to scolo

@GaleHaroldFan I remain like Switzerland in that relationship and, believe me, the world at large has seen MORE than enough of me nude.
2:49 PM Mar 15th via web in reply to GaleHaroldFan

http://twitter.com/scolo

Scott may be among the sweetest, funniest guys, ever. The man is such a doll.

I wasn't aware that Hal mentioned his dislike for Gale so much, or that it was a well known issue...I must've missed that! And when was Randy forgiven? I feel so out of the loop!

On TMZ they asked Hal for some comedy material on the Tiger Woods issue and he replied that his comedy is on a "higher level" than that. Seriously? I've heard some of Hal's comedy...he's so full of shit.

Very good point about Gale with QAF alum. I know Thea never had anything but amazing things to say about Gale, and I haven't heard anyone (but Hal) say anything negative about him either, as far as QAF or any of his other films. I think the OP was right on the jealousy issue. My guess is that he took issue with Gale having the limelight and fan majority even though he didn't try nearly as hard (and desperately, I might add) as Hal did for fan attention. Just a theory though. :)

Hal said something pro Randy to fans that were seeing him the next day when he did the Rutgers thing. And this is the most recent Twitter comment on, all are about the same. Fans question why he dissed Gale & Randy, etc.

Question to Hal:

@HalSparks What's your beef with Harold and Harrison?
11:07 PM Feb 21st via Twitterrific

Hal's replies:
@MetalBro4Life No beef at all with Harrison. He's a talented, bright, genuinely good person
2:10 AM Feb 22nd via TweetDeck in reply to MetalBro4Life

@MetalBro4Life I'd rather not. but my lack of fondness toward them comes from their disdain for the show and the causes that benefit from it
11:36 AM Feb 22nd via TweetDeck in reply to MetalBro4Life

@MetalBro4Life I don't mind. People can believe what they want. I think my actions during and after the show speak for themselves
11:45 AM Feb 22nd via TweetDeck in reply to MetalBro4Life

http://twitter.com/HalSparks
____________________

Randy 'adores' Gale. Gale was with Bobby, Scott & Thea to honor Sharon last Fall. Scott & Gale are very close. Scott & Michelle were at OD & drinking with Gale after. Peter, Scott & Gale went together to Elton's Oscar bash last month.... Gale seems very cozy w/ his QAF family.

Why isnt Hal doing the rounds with his QAF family?

I think Hal had a hissy because Michael got such a bigger role in S5, and he took Gale & Randy's displeasure & wanting to move on as a slight to his finally getting more screen time.

Gale & Randy got the media attention & offers and didnt want much of it, and that must have pissed off a very attention loving Hal, who got overlooked.

...My 2 cents and arm chair fangirl analysis!

Interesting analysis. I'd say you probably aren't far off. :D And just goes to show how much merit you can put into what some people say.

Oh and thanks for those tweets! I'm not on Twitter, so I guess I'm a bit behind.

When did Randy say he 'adores' Gale? Now I feel out of the loop lol.

At the QAF convention in Paris. Nov 2008.

I've only ever seen him say glowing things about Gale....then & now.

okay, thanks. I'll have to watch the vids on youtube again. Is that the one where Randy's like dancing to bloodhound gang?

I actually stumbled to this by accident,I was looking for a fic and read it out of curiosity, as to why randy bashes his character I read in the comments in one of the vids on yt, that he heard a producer saying some thing like there isn't enough nakedness in this episode so put Justin in some scene or something to that effect so they consider him as a piece of meat, and Hal is a jackass!

I think it's really unprofessional to talk about former co-stars like that, for any actor.

This. Seriously. It's like taking family arguments to the damn grocery store. You just don't do it.

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See. That time gap makes it even more ridiculous. With that amount of time things should be well laid to rest. Just sayin'.

(deleted comment)

Which, frankly, shows exactly how immature he can be. *rolls eyes*

Unfortunately, it's stuff like this that, for me, will color my opinions of future roles I find him in. I'm biased like that and I doubt I'm the only one.

karma really bit Hal on the ass for that one....since the interview was posted a month before Gale's accident and made its national rounds just about the same time as the crash...so it just looked epically bad. Replies to the original interview just crucify Hal.

So, in the court of public opinion.... years after the show ended...Hal's talking shit about Gale & Randy in public, while Gale cant reply cause he's in the freakin neuro ICU & Randy is being Mr Social & off to the Paris QAF convention.

Randy is being Mr Social & off to the Paris QAF convention. This was shocking to me. I never thought in a million years he would go to a con or even be apart of QAF in anyway. It was impressive and surprising :)

I know....and let me preface this with a warning I mean no disrespect & I have worked in neuro for well over a decade, so I know the seriousness....

...but it really seemed like Gale & Randy both has some epiphany, alien abduction, change of heart, or shared memory/personalty change around the time of the accident.

I had hoped, since Gale & Randy have been so social & almost nostalgic, that things were now kosher with Hal, but obviously not.

You know...'brothers' fighting, one has a serious accident and the BS gets forgotten, making for one big happy amily again... that kind of deal.

Its probably just my inner fan girl who wants QAF peace & happiness, so maybe a complete reunion/retrospective could be plausible....especially after Scott tweeted about having lunch with Ron & Dan in Jan. Even if nothing new ever happens, I would like to pretend they could all be in a room together, w/o xanax & a fire hose.

I wonder how much Randy going to that con had to do with his breaking up with Simon? I think it happened around the same time.

Hi! I realize you posted this almost two months ago so I don't know if you'll even read this. BUT, I did want to say something just in case you did. I would like to say, for what it's worth, that I met Hal recently and he is INCREDIBLY nice. He really goes out of his way to be friendly and make you feel comfortable. That being said, there are a lot of things I don't like about Hal. I think Hal is a lot like a real-life Brian. He says whatever comes to his mind, and often comes off like a jackass. But like Brian, that doesn't mean he's a bad person.

As for the comments, I believe he has every right to comment on what went on during QAF. It was, afterall, an important time in all of their lives. When asked about it, there's nothing wrong with being honest. It's not as if he's just randomly ranting about Gale. Someone asked. And he can hardly be blamed for bad timing with an interview.

I always try to give everyone an equal chance and I don't think you're doing that with Hal. I can tell by your posts that you're a huge Gal and Randy fan. But should we mention how Randy publicly complained about his dislike for the show and some of the writing? I've even seen an interview where he says he regrets getting into the contract. Has his trip to a con allowed him to be forgiven for that? *Shrug.*

Anyways, like I said, there's a lot I don't like about Hal. But I don't think he's a complete jackass, nor should he be crucified for stating his opinion.

I just have to say here and this may not be related to any of your comment, but for some reason something about Hal Sparks has always hit a bad nerve with me. I could not stand him, for anything. I even tried on various attempts to get over this unnatural, in my opinion, hatred over him.

This is also before I ever watched Queer as Folk. Before I looked into anything related to Queer as Folk. I just remember watching VH1 specials where he would add something 'snarky' to whatever they were discussing and the whole time I kept thinking, 'Good God, shut up.' *facepalm* (I watched QAF last May???)

I think even outside of Mikey's character...I couldn't ever really give him a chance because it was Hal Sparks. (Not saying that I did not see tons of issues, but I couldn't even give him a chance to grow on me.)

Yes, he's a bit of a pompous douche bag on those "I love the 80's" shows on VH1.

...I think he just tries way too hard to even be considered funny. I liked Michael much more than I like Hal.

I have exactly the opposite problem!

I know precisely nothing about Hal Sparks beyond he was on Queer as Folk, until I read this post I'd never read an interview with him or anything like. And I still can't stand him. I do however, loathe Michael. I'm not even sure why, I mean he's a shit sometimes but come on - no one on that show wasn't at least once.

I've tried very hard to stop judging Hal by what I think of Mikey, but apparently I suck at it.

However, after reading this article I don't feel so bad about it. If he'd even tried to be just a little bit subtle or amibiguous about who he was talking about it wouldn't have been so bad. But he didn't, he made it insanely obvious, and that just struck me as unprofessional if nothing else.

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